Frances Marella O.

Cristobal ABM12-02

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

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As I have comprehended/deciphered, the YouTube video entitled, “Don’t Stay in

School” obviously imparts the message emphasizing the downfalls of education that
students get from school. The artist of that musical composition strongly insists that
students must not be forced to learn the various academic subjects taught in school,
especially those that are not practically applicable to people’s lives. He even described
that act as insane, no, absolutely insane.

Instead of learning the necessities in life, he (composer) was rather “educated”

with futile things which he can’t even imagine the relevance of such in everyday living.
He even said there in the video – he wasn’t taught how to get a job but he can
remember dissecting a frog; he was never taught how to vote because they devoted
that time defining isotopes; they never spent a lesson on current events, instead they
studied The Old American West; and many more others. At first, you may find those
passages hilarious but eventually you’ll find yourself nodding as you agree that the artist
actually has a convincing point.

Well I admit the same thing happened to me. I actually somewhat support his
notion stating: “nobody should be forced to learn something that isn’t practically useful.”
It’s like saying, “why must I memorize these complex math formulas if I won’t be able to
use it in my daily doings, or “why must I study biology or chemistry like a scientist if I
won’t be one in the future?” or generally, “why must I learn about this certain subject
matter if I don’t have any plan to be a professional in its field or discipline?”. Indeed,
those are reasonable arguments that convinced me at some points.

However, let me just clarify that I do not entirely agree to what the video implies. I
absolutely refute the hashtag used there which is “#Don’tStayInSchool”. This is certainly
nonsensical for I believe that school is a great learning environment for students. I
recognize that many people do not understand why there is so much emphasis placed
upon obtaining good education in school. This is why some people do not put in as
much effort as they should. BUT let us put in our minds that school is a profoundly
significant place to acquire knowledge and learn various skills, that’s why it is important
that everyone understand this and the other numerous end benefits of education.
 The education that we acquire from school plays a vital role in shaping people
and their lives. Education opens up doors – the more education you get, the more
opportunities you will have. Thus, through education you may have more options which
often lead to greater success and happiness in life. As well, it is something that one can
keep for a lifetime; no one can transfer knowledge from one brain to another, unlike a
money transfer from one account to another.

School is more than just book learning; it is also about life lessons and nurturing
one’s social association to other people. It was not just to torture you by making you
learn how to solve for the zeros or roots of an equation using the quadratic formula but
to make sure that you and your classmates got the opportunity to make the most of
yourselves. Sometimes you’ll not only remember the teachers, the study of school
subjects, the classmates, but also the fun! Formal education in school is one way to
gain knowledge but the interaction w/ people are critical and in the moment of what
surrounds us allows application and the personal growth that creates an educated
person.

Now you ask, what is the importance of academic subjects in everyday life? This
is a question often asked but seldom answered to satisfaction. Most people would claim
that mathematics subject is inflicted upon our curriculum to an unnecessary level like
what I’ve previously mentioned. What benefit is gained from studying philosophy? How
about in science, English, history, economics, physical education, social studies, etc.?
Just what is the importance of academic subjects in everyday life?

I think the answer is our very humanity – our nature as human beings. It is
education that raises us up above the other animals, the other creatures that crawl the
earth; and it is the very breadth of education that empowers us people.

On the other hand, let me ask you this time. Have you ever felt like an outsider in
a conversation because you didn’t have any clue about Dmitri Mendeleev? Have you
ever hidden your ignorance about history, agreeing without knowing what Martial Law
really is? Have you cursed under your breath when talk turned to arts, knowing you’re
not aware who really are the artists who painted the ‘last supper’ and ‘monalisa’? This is
when you’ll apprehend that the various academic subjects are truly important. It is
where we get broad education which is an asset for a lifetime – it’s not just a key to
open the doors of various professions, but a social resource, enabling you to mix with
many people.

As I have read last time, the world itself is a more interesting place to an
educated person. Education changes our eyes, it lets us see things differently. A narrow
education, merely serving one’s chosen profession narrows in the same manner the
very world where you exist. We should strive to be polymaths, studying a whole range
of subjects! So again, where do you get educated? In school isn’t it?

In accordance to Republic Act No. 10533 or the so-called Enhanced Education

Act of 2013, the Philippines’ pedagogical curriculum has now resorted to K-12 Basic
Education Program; getting away from the traditional education system of the country.